Subway Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has again challenged Melbourne Victory winger Daniel Arzani to justify his Socceroos selection after the 26-year-old was called-up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.
However the Socceroos boss has kept the faith when it comes to his former Melbourne Victory pupil, despite Arzani not registering a single goal contribution in his last seven matches.
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
“I wouldn’t say too much has changed,” said Popovic when asked about Arzani’s inclusion in his latest squad following his previous comments.
“I think recently, he’s had some good performances. I know his talent.
“I know that’s a type of player that we don’t have between the lines, a creative player that has that natural ability to do something special in those areas.
“He gets another chance. I’m sure he didn’t expect it, but I think it’s just an indication for every player that none of them are out of the picture, and if they perform well there’s always another chance.
FULL STORY: TEN A-Leagues stars selected for Socceroos duty ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers
“So I’m hoping that Daniel will come in, train a lot better than he did in October and this time we think about putting him on the field and showing his great talent that I know he has.”
Asked whether or not Arzani was selected in the squad based off of what Popovic thinks Arzani can do rather than what he is currently doing, the Socceroos head coach again went into bat for the 26-year-old.
“Maybe a bit of both. I still will say that, had he not played well last week when he started, or had he not shown glimpses and he was coming off the bench – he still looks in physical shape – so I know that he’s looked after yourself.
UP FOR GRABS: Why finishing 2nd in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season could be worth $1.2m: The Run Home
“So it’s a bit of both. But certainly, if he hadn’t played well the last few weeks he wouldn’t be selected.”
Arzani will now be out to justify Popovic’s decision to pick him for the squad by helping his Melbourne Victory side secure a big result against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
WEEKEND GUIDE: What you need to know for Round 23 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
Currently sat fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder, Victory know a win over the Wanderers at CommBank Stadium could see them finish the round in second spot should results elsewhere go their way.
As for the Socceroos, Popovic’s side currently occupy second place in World Cup qualifying Group B and face Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on March 20 before taking on China in Hangzhou on March 25.
BLOOMING BRILLIANT: Premier League owner acquires 19.1% stake in Melbourne Victory
Popovic’s side will then play Japan in June at Perth’s Optus Stadium before rounding out what they hope will be a successful FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in Saudi Arabia on June 10.
Socceroos squad
| Name | Current Club, Country | ‘A’ Caps (Goals) | Junior Club (Member Federation/Country) |
| Daniel ARZANI | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 7 (1) | Coogee United FC / Football NSW |
| Aziz BEHICH | Melbourne City, Australia | 77 (2) | Meadow Park SC / Football VIC |
| Brandon BORRELLO | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | 13 (2) | Modbury Jets SC / Football SA |
| Martin BOYLE | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 30 (9) | Lewis United FC / Montrose FC (Scotland) |
| Cameron BURGESS | Ipswich Town, England | 13 (0) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Anthony CACERES | Sydney FC, Australia | 2 (0) | Marconi Stallions / Football NSW |
| Jason DAVIDSON | Panserraikos F.C., Greece | 23 (1) | Hume City FC / Football VIC |
| Miloš DEGENEK | FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia | 45 (1) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
| Jason GERIA | Albirex Niigata, Japan | 3 (0) | Weston Molonglo Football Club / Capital Football |
| Thomas GLOVER (GK) | Middlesborough FC, England | 0 | Menai Hawks / Football NSW |
| Craig GOODWIN | Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia | 30 (7) | Munno Para City FC / Football SA |
| Alex GRANT | Sydney FC, Australia | 0 | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Jackson IRVINE | St Pauli, Germany | 76 (11) | Ringwood City SC / Football VIC |
| Paul IZZO (Gk) | Randers, Denmark | 0 | Campbelltown City SC / Football SA |
| Fran KARAČIĆ | NK Lokomotiva, Croatia | 13 (1) | NK Lokomotiva / Croatia |
| Lewis MILLER | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 9 (1) | Pittwater RSL FC / Football NSW |
| Aiden O’NEILL | Standard de Liège, Belgium | 17 (0) | University of Queensland Football Club / Football QLD |
| Kye ROWLES | D.C. United, United States | 24 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Mat RYAN (GK) | RC Lens, France | 96 (0) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
| Adam TAGGART | Perth Glory FC, Australia | 21 (7) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Ryan TEAGUE | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | 0 | Maroubra United FC / Football NSW |
| Marco TILIO | Melbourne City FC, Australia | 9 (0) | APIA Leichhardt FC & Sydney Olympic FC / Football NSW |
| Nectarios TRIANTIS | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 0 | Canterbury Junior FC / Football NSW |
| Kai TREWIN | Melbourne City FC, Australia | 0 | Gungahlin United FC / Capital Football |
| Nishan VELUPILLAY | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 2 (1) | Endeavour United SC / Football Victoria |
| Kusini YENGI | Portsmouth FC, England | 12 (6) | Fulham United FC / Football SA |
